Portable duplex perforator



July 8, 1941. A, sw so 2,248,136

PORTABLE DUPLEX PERFORATOR Filed Dec. 24, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 &

. 1N VENTOR. BY yalmr a. 5KUQ7Z60/Z,

July 8, 1941.

H. A. SWANSON PORTABLE DUPLEX PERFORATOR Filed Dec; 24, 1938 :s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTbR. fgjaimar Q fiwarwvlz,

Patented July 8, 1941 PORTABLE DUPLEX PERFORATOR.

Hjalmar A. Swanson,

Cummins Perforator Company,

Chicago, 111., assignor to corporation of Illinois Application December 24, 1938, Serial No. 247,612

(01. ion-20) 7 Claims.

The invention relates to perforating machines and has reference more particularly to a perforating machine of the portable duplex type which will receipt stub bills such as tax bills and those of public service and utility companies by perforating the date of payment and other data in said bills.

An object of the invention is to provide a portable perforator which will be power driven by means of a continuously running electric motor and wherein novel trip means will be actuated automatically by the insertion of a bill or the like for causing operation of the perforator head to produce a punching operation on said bill.

Another object resides in the provision of automatic trip means for operatively connecting the continuously running electric motor with the perforator head and which will be combined in a novel manner with manually actuated trip means for accomplishing the same purpose. When the hand operated trip is intended for regular use it is not necessary nor advisable to include the automatic trip means, but when the latter is to be used regularly, then the invention contemplates the combination therewith of the hand trip for possible emergencies.

A further object resides in the provision of a perforator of the type described which will embody novel trip means for producing a perforating operation and which will permit only one operation of the perforator head for each actuation of said trip means.

Another object resides in the provision of improved clutch means normally held in latched position to permit the motor to rotate independently but which when released by the trip means will operatively connect the motor with said perforator head for a complete revolution of said clutching means so that following one cycle, as above outlined, the clutch will automatically latch and remain in this position until again tripped.

A further object is to provide a portable duplex perforator having a hand operated stub ejector which will remove the stub bills from the die opening when the stubs are too small to be conveniently removed by hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable duplex perforator that can be unlocked by the insertion of a key in said machine, permitting operation thereof, and which will automatically look again when the key is withdrawn. In accordance with the invention, said key has indicia perforated therein which will cause an identifying number to be perforated in the bill and stub portion of the same during the Chicago, Ill., a

operation of receipting the bill, whereby the employee receipting the bill and receiving the money can be readily identified through the indicia of his respective key.

A further object is to provide a portable duplex perforator embodying a continuously running electric motor and which will provide a signal light readily visible to the operator of the machine for indicating that the motor is in operation.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and'operatio'n, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings 'and' claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a side elevational view'of the improved portable'duplex perforator of the invention; 1

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the perforator shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational View, parts being shown in section, of the combined automatic'and manual tripping means for releasing the clutch to produce a perforating operation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the locking means for locking the machine against operation; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the key which when inserted in the present machine will release the locking means.

'The perforator selected for illustration in the drawings is housed within a frame including a base member l0 having side walls II and I2,

'a rear wall l3 and a front wall M. A cover l5 of the removable type and. having depending front and rear portions 16 and I1, respectively,

encloses the oscillating perforator head of the presentmachine and completes the structure of the frame. A die block [8, suitably supported by the frame adjacent the front wall l4 thereof provides a paper supporting surface on which is placed the bill or the like to be perforated. Suitably supported in spaced relation above the die block l8 are a pair of blocks 20 each supporting in vertical position sets of punches 2| and 22 for perforating a bill and the stub portion thereof with the date of payment and other information. The perforator head, designated in its entirety by numeral 23, locates over the punches 22 two sets of coaxial, rotatably adjustable punch control members 24 which select the punches to be actuated and produce actuation thereof when the perforator head is oscillated. The keys 25, which must be inserted in the perforator head to release the machine for operation, are each located over a set of punches 2|, and said keys control the actuation of these punches for perforating a number on the bill and stub portion thereof "which will identify the particular emnotch 5! adapted to receive the trip lever 52 which is normally in latched position, holding the plate members against rotation. Therefore; the shaft 36 is also held against rotation alin onedirection free therol-iers withrespect ployee operating the perforating machine. though gear 38 d its hub portion y freely The perforator head 23 consists of elongated rotate- When the p leVer iS Withdrawn the id ber 25 a 21, suitably connected t springs 46 force their respective rollers into such gether at the forward end by means 28 which w d i a m t wi h t t al p p y rotatably support the control members 24 and Of the hub portion as to cause Shaft 35 to be which pivotally connect with the sidewalls H driv n' y t e r 4| a d to p d e Oscillating and I2 at the rear end through-the horizontally movement f e perforator disposed transverse shaft 30. In order to The Structure for tripping d Clutch l o strengthen the walls at this point for pivotally be deseribede pp lever pivetally supporting the perforator head, portions 3| are Supported at 53 from the Side Well has p suitably secured as by welding to the outside surjeetihg upw dly therefrom an actuating -faceof each side walland said member a-tits y movementi p d to said eri'm Wiii be upper endis-perforatedfor receiving an end of transmitted to d tripping levere ppe the-shaft 31], Ea h id m mb 26 and 21 i end of the actuatingarm' 54,extends vertically provided it a b 32 t it rear Said aboveand is adaptedto contact the horizontally b'ossedpart, of the member isvlocated to the out- 35' ed l v r i i-cl rly wn n Figure p vfsitiex'of its respective side wall but inside of its Oted a 55 t0 the e W II and at iteepposite portion 51; iThe 'side walls therefore pivotally end eXtending a sh rt distance beyond side wall csuppofl; and a lsoagt-tas guides-forth members i2. On the outside Of the :W3;11 '2 immediately z fi and z'k: onfining their movement and t t of below lever 55 there is slidably supported a horithe perforator head to a true vertical plane. A Zontai 55 Which extendetowald front um; 33 pivotallyconneots-With each side mem- W cf the h I Member supports wbe'r as at fly -directly-to the rear of the control Said front d of the bar a d he p 5 mp- :members 24. Said: links at their opposite ends ports the e d- ,e d e ieyieldinelytiesed :connect with anjeccentric provided by the n a direction rd "the nt well Of e'p -operating shaft :36; Zsuitably journalled. by 'bear- 3.3. fomter y o l Sp ing M.v For-aut c p ings 31 and which extends throughthe side Walls tion a member 5| is suitably fixed to'the bar 56 -11 a 2 Th gear -33 fixedfi t said haft at the forward end thereof and which proe wiehiihe' wbrmfgear-39-1 n th motor vided with a portion 62 aligned with the throat shaft fll of'the ele'ctriemotor 4 l. Theperforator passage of the machine Within wh ch a h ll e {23;js-ac 1-din-g1yfascinated by means f 0 or the like to be perforated is inserted. Partial Said qm 33 rmt t imparted t0 haft insertion of the bill will result in its leading edge 36 through operation of the electric motor 41. Coming in Contact With POItiQII 52 of member The presentfinvention' contemplates a continuand continued insertion of the-919111 Will move ously running 1 t motor normally disconsaid member and bar 56 in a direction rearwardly .nected from shaft 36 through clutch means to against th t nsion f sp ing 6t A lat h n i-bekpresently described-and which clutch means lever 63 is pivoted at 64 t the horizontal vher n (be tripped aut mati afly by t insertion and. said lever is formed-on its undersurface with of a-bill :vorrthe like in the machine to result in alatchin-grecess 65 adapted to have latching .ena perforating operation on th a gagement with the end of lever 55- extending be- The g e'ar' 38, as'abestgshown i Figure 3,1 p1'o.. yond sidewall l2. Said lever-63 also-provides a vidediwith a ihubrll recessed for; receiving the depending arm-66 a p d ntact an adjuststructure of thei l t h hi b g-of any able stop 61 as a result of rearward movement. conventional jjypefor Uperatively connecting t of the horizontal bar 56. Figure 3 illustrates electric motor andisaid operating shaft when the the position of the parts after contact staken clutch is tripped and which willreadiiyidisconplace between dependingv rm d s d op nect the partsand'zmaintain this relation when t l e no ed t hat the latching-lever has i lateh dy 'Iih l t gm tmt n Figure 3 been rotated to a slightextent on its pivot 64 m; 1 y-. t t g membmkeyedijto in'a lcounter-clockwisedirection and as a result the-operating shaft36x 1so;as to rotateitherewith the latched end cf leverte i pa ly rele sed. w andwhich is.formed:with a plurality of recesses (to Movement of bar e rettlwe'rd direction Sufii- "M nf substantially trianguiarshape:forzreceiving cient producerocking movement h latcha roller- 45 ba k db j1;-; i -45 Mounted ing lever to this extent will have moved the hori- 7 iso asto freely rrotate on the operating shaft 36 ntally disposed leve 55, actuating arm 54, and arefaxpair-rofplateimembers H; a member being the tripping lever 52 t0 releasethe clutch o pro- 'positionedi on;eachzsicle of the body portion and {2-5 'dlice perforating Operation- Th pe forating 2 saidmembers"being:connected iby'the transverse operation is the result of rotationof shaft 36, ,.f'5tuds 48,; 'I h v1 1 :pdrfi n i vprovided t actuation 'of the links 33-to-cause downward notches of substantially :sqnarie shape, receiving movement of the perforator head, and therefore tithe-transverse tudSi 4Bant1 which therefore have actuation of the proper punches to p o ate the limited'movenrent-with respectto'tlie body por- .70 bill or-the like inserted within the die opening tion'. :Rollers are carried in recesses 50 :in the v platefmbmbersfandisince' the :plate members-may 'haimilimited movemmii; with Iespeotttothe body 1' :p'orfiomiit will hetseen that relative movement for the purpose.

For manually tripping the clutch to cause a perforating operation to take place the inventionprovides a lever '10 adapted to be finger operated and pivotally secured at H to wall I2.

The upper end of said lever is provided with a part 12 readily accessible to the operator of the machine. Link I3 connects said lever to the pivoted lever 14, also supported from wall l2 at 15. The link 13 and lever 14 are connected by the coil spring 16 which tends to draw the parts together and as a result maintains levers I and 14 in a substantially vertical position. A strip of flat spring steel 11 is suitably fixed at 18 to lever 14 and positioned vertically thereby so as to have contact with member 6!. The part 80 fixed to said member and to the bar 56 provides a guide for the upper end of said part 11 which as a result of its contact with member 6| will produce actuation thereof and movement of the bar 56 when the lever is manually actuated by the operator. Bar 56 will produce movement of latching lever 63, lever 55, arm 54 and tripping lever 52 to release the clutching elements so as to cause a perforating operation to take place. Also movement of said bar will cause the latching lever to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction to eventually release lever 55, whereupon said lever, bar 54 and tripping lever 52 will be free to again latch the clutch following one revolution of the operating shaft 36. It will be observed that the actuating arm 54 is yieldingly held to cause latching of the clutch by the spring 68.

Movement of the lever 10, imparted thereto by the operator for manually tripping the clutch, is transmitted to the bar 56 through the strip of spring steel 11. This is necessary since the actuating bar 56 may be locked against movement and when this is the case the strip 11 readily yields and prevents damage to the tripping mechanism. As regards part 6|, providing the automatic trip, this is fixedly secured to the operating bar 56 since the same can be actuated only by insertion of a bill or similar sheet of paper in the machine. When the parts are locked against movement the bill can be inserted in the machine until it contacts portion 62. It is impossible for the operator to apply sufficient pressure through the thin sheet of paper such as the bill or the like to damage the tripping mechanism. In the event the operator holds the lever 10 in depressed position, the present mechanism will allow the shaft 36 to rotate for one complete revolution only. This is the result of the pivoted latching lever 63 which by its counter-clockwise pivotal movement releases levers 55, bar 54 and tripping lever 52 so that they are yieldingly returned to a position where latching of the clutch will take place following one revolution. Inorder to insure that bar 56 will be moved rearwardly to cause pivoting of the latching lever 63, so as to release engagement with lever 55, the invention provides an arm 8| pivoted at 82 and operatively connecting by means of link 83 with the upright link 33 connecting with the perforator head. The lower end of link 33 is in effect oscillated as a result of its connection with eccentric 35. Movement of the lower end of link 33 is transmitted to arm 8 l and said arm is caused to engage pin 84 on the operating bar 56 and move said bar in a direction rearwardly. For every release of the clutching elements to produce a perforating operation arm 8| will be brought into contact with pin 84 and the operating bar 56 will be automatically moved rearwardly to the extent where full pivotal movement of latching lever 63 will take place. Full pivoted movement of this lever releases lever 55 and thus arm 54 so that these parts are free to return and again latch the clutch following one revolution of the operating shaft.

As previously brought out, the keys 25 are inserted in the present perforator in order to release the same for operation and said keys also control the punches 2| to perforate a number on the bill and stub portion thereof for identifying the particular employee receipting the bill. Said keys release locking means in the form of a latching arm 85, Figure 4, having a downwardly bent end portion 86. The shaft 34, which pivotally connects links 33 with the side members of the perforator head, provides journalling means for the U-shaped frame 81. The latching arm issuitably secured to one side portion of said frame, as clearly shown in Figure 2, and the pin 98 projects outwardly from the other side portion of the frame.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that the upwardly bent end of lever 9| is normally in contact with said pin and therefore any pivoting movement of the lever will produce oscillation of frame 81 and also of latching arm 85. Lever 9| is pivotally secured at 92 to side wall ll of the machine and carries a pin 93 projecting from that side of the lever directed toward the control members 24. This pin is adapted to have contact with the leading edge of a key 25 when inserted in the machine and for the purpose said leading edge of the key is bevelled as at 94. When the key is inserted the pin 93 will ride up said bevelled edge 94 and upward movement is thereby imparted to lever 9|. Similar movement of the frame 81 results and likewise the bent end portion 86 is elevated. As clearly illustrated in Figure 1, said elevation of the bent end 86 will free the actuating arm 54. The tripping mechanism of the perforator may now be actuated either automatically or manually for perforating abill or the like. However, when the key 25 is withdrawn, lever 9| will drop and corresponding downward movement of frame 81 and arm 85 will latch the actuating arm 54, locking the same against movement. The tripping lever 52 is thereby held in its notch 5| and although the electric motor of the perforating machine may be set in motion the tripping mechanism is inoperative to release the clutch.

As shown in Figure 5, each key 25 is provided with perforations 95 which, however, leave a solid portion bounded by said perforations forming an identifying number. Certain of the punches 2| are actuated by the solid portion of the key to perforate the bill, reproducing an identifying number therein. Accordingly, when the keys have been inserted in the perforator to release the same for operation the number of the particular employee is perforated in all bills receipted by him. The company is therefore able to identify the employee in the event of falsification of the records and appropriation of money for his own use.

The perforating head 23 at 96 pivotally connects with link 91 whichin turn is fastened to the upper cutting blade 98. Said upper blade is pivotally supported at 99 by the punch blocks 26 and has coaction with a stationary lower cutting blade !66 for the purpose of severing the stub portion of the bill from the main portion thereof. In transactions such as receipting bills for utility companies the stub portion is retained by the company and the main portionis returned to the customer. It often happens that the stub portions are too small to be conveniently removed by hand. In this event, the stub ejector |0I may lution' of the operating shaft.

through said switch the bulb various forms of the device will parent to those skilled in the art without depart- 65 103 so. that movement of the same'forwardly for ejecting the stub bill takesjplace against the ahandle I05, is suitably mounted in the frame structure of the present perforatoradjacent the front wall I4 thereof for the purpose of collecting the punchings which drop from the'die openingsin the die block 18.

' The insertion of a sheet such as'a bill or, the like in thepresent perforating machine will automatically actuate the trip mechanism by moving =thehorizontal bar 56? rearwardly. Initial movement of this bar will be transmitted'to the trip 11-20 lever '52- whereby the clutch is released and a perforatingoperation'takes place as a result of rotation of the "operating shaft 36-. One complete revolution of this shaft will produce an' up and down oscillatory movement of the perforator head, producing actuation of the punches on its down movement, andas a result of its up movement the head will be located in initial position.

Due tothe pivoted latching 'lever631the latching meansfor the clutch is releasedautomatically' by' continuedrearward movement of the 'horizontal'bar. said movement is not sufiicient, which happens when the bill isnot inserted in the machine 'far enough, the arm 8! will be causedto strike pin'84 on the bar, moving the same rearwardlyto insure full pivotal movement ofisaid lever." Full pivotal movement of the same will freelever '55 and arm 54 so that theseparts 'will, return under the tension exerted by'spring fiilrto again latch the clutch following one revo- In the present perforator only one'perforating operation will take place for each actuation of the'tripmechanism and this is the case irrespective of whether thetrip mechanism is actuated automaticallyby' the insertion of a sheet in the machine or manually by depressing the lever 10.

The numeral I06 indicates a lock in the form of a switch for the electric motor 4| and which switch must be closed by the operator before theperforating machine can be used. The lock is adapted to receive a key, which may be turned after insertion inthe lock for closing the switch.

When-the electric circuit to the motor'is closed cover l5, will light and the same will remain lighted during the time'the motor is in operation.

Since the present perforator embodies a contin- 'uously' running electric motor a visibleindicator of this type is desirable.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as of course be aping from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a duplex perforating machine, in com- IOT, positioned on tension-of saidspring. A receptacle I04, having said frame, links connectingsaid shaft with said perforator head for oscillating the same, a clutch interposedbetweenlsaid operating-shaft and said drive shaft, latching means yieldingly biased in a direction to hold said clutch inlatchedposition whereby said operating shaft remains 'atrest, trip mechanism for releasing said; latching meansin- ,ing, said horizontal bar to insure release of said latchingmcans bythe pivoted lever,whereby one actuation-of the'trip mechanism will produce only one perforating operation.

. 2. In ,a, perforating machine, an oscillatable .perforator head-which when oscillated effects a perforating operation, means pivotally supporting said perforator head, an electric motor-having a drive shaft adapted to rotate constantly while the perforating machine is in-use, an operating shaft having connection with said perforatorhead for oscillating the -.same, a.clutchinterposed besaid drive shaft,

tween said. operating shaft and latching. means yieldingly biased in .a direction to holdsaidcclutchlin clutched position whereby ,said operating shaft remains at rest, and: trip mechanism for releasing said latching: meansineluding a,horizontall-y movable bar-and a pivoted lever carried .by said bar and having releasable engagement with. saidilatchingmeans, said bar whenmoved apredetermined extent in' one direction causing actuation of said latching means to release. the -clutch,-. and -means effecting limited rotation of thepivoted lever as a result of further a movement ofsaid-"bar in the same direction,

whereby the lever isv caused to release'its'engagevment with .thelatching. means so-that the latching means .isrfree to -again=latch th clutchfollowing a completerevolution.

3. In a perforating. machine, an oscillatable perforatorhead'which when oscillated effects a perforating operation, means pivotally supporting said perforatorhead,anelectric motor having a drive shaft adapted to rotate constantlywhile-the perforating machine is inuser an operating shaft having connection .with said perforator head i for oscillating the-same, -aclutch interposed between ,esaid operating shaft. and said drive shaftdatching means yieldinglyhiased ,in..a direction to hold c saidclutch in clutched position whereby said opbination, a frame, an oscillatable perforator head A v v I mg means so that the same is free to again latch pivotally supported by said frame and which when oscillated effects a perforating operation, an electric motor having a drive shaft adapted ,eratin Shaft remains at rest, trip mechanismcfor releasing ,said latching means, said mechanism includngahorzontally movable bar and a lever pivotally carried by the'bar at one end thereof and having releasable engagement with said latching means, "saidbar when moved a predetermined extent in one direction causing actuation'of the latching mea'nsto release the clutch, and means effecting limited rotation of the'pivoted'lever'a-s 'a result of further movement of said bar in the same direction whereby the lever is caused torelease its engagement with the latch- "theclutch following a 'complete revoluti'on, and

extent to insure release of said latching means by the pivoted lever, whereby one actuation of the trip mechanism will produce only one perforating operation.

4. In a perforating machine, an oscillatable perforator head which when oscillated effects a perforating operation, an electric motor having a drive shaft adapted to rotate constantly while the perforating machine is in use, mechanism including a clutch for connecting said drive shaft with said head for oscillating the same, latching means yieldably biased in a direction to hold said clutch in clutched position whereby said perforator head remains at rest, trip mechanism for releasing said latching means including a movable ba'r having releasable connection with the latching means, said connection being constructed and arranged whereby initial movement of the bar actuates the latching means to release the clutch and further movement effects disconnection of the latching means with respect to the bar so that said latching means is free to again latch the clutch following a complete revolution, and means receiving actuation simultaneously with oscillating movement of the perforator head and operative to move said bar its full extent to insure disconnection of the latching means with respect to said bar, whereby one actuation of the trip mechanism will produce only one perforating operation.

5. In a perforating machine. in combination, a frame, an oscillatable perforator head supported by said frame, an electric motor having a drive shaft adapted to rotate constantly while the perforating machine is in use, mechanism including a clutch for connecting said drive shaft with said head for oscillating the same, latching means yieldingly biased in a direction to hold the clutch in latched position to render the mechanism inoperative, trip means for actuating the latching means to release the clutch, said means including a member having releasable engagement with the latching means and a movable bar carrying said member, said bar when moved a predetermined extent in one direction causing actuation of the latching means through said member to render the clutch operative, and means effecting relative movement of the member as a result of further movement of the bar in the same direction to release the latching means, whereby said latching means is free to again latch the clutch following a complete revolution.

6. In a perforating machine, the combination with a plurality of punches, of an oscillatable head for actuating said punches, a drive shaft for oscillating said head, mechanism including a clutch for operatively connecting said drive shaft with said head, latching means for latching the clutch for rendering the mechanism inoperative, means carried by said oscillatable head and having an operative position for locking the latching means in latched position, a key for insertion in said head to render the locking means ineffective, said key upon insertion having a position over certain punches and being operative to depress certain of said punches when the head is oscillated, and trip mechanism having association with said latching means for tripping the latching means to release the clutch provided the said means is not locked.

7. In a perforating machine, the combination with a plurality of punches supported by a stationary base, of an oscillatable head pivoted to said base for actuating said punches, an electric motor located within the base below said head and having a drive shaft for oscillating the head, mechanism including a clutch for operatively connecting said drive shaft with said head, latching means for latching the clutch to render the mechanism inoperative, means carried by the oscillatable head for locking the latching means in latching position, a key for insertion in said head to render the locking means ineffective, said key upon insertion having a position over certain punches and being operative to depress certain of said punches when the head is oscillated, and trip mechanism supported by the station base and having association with said latching means to release the clutch provided the means is not locked.

HJALMAR. A.SWANSON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

PatentNo; 2-, $8 ,156. July 8, 1911.1.

EJA LNAR A. SWANSON.-

It is hereby eertified that error appears in the'printed specification of the above numbered patent "requiring qerrectionas fellows: Page 5, second column, line I i, claim 7', fer the word "'station r ead etetionary;

line 14.2, same claimrafter "me-ans" insert for tripping the latching means"; and' that the Sam Letters Patent should be reaci with this correct ion therein; that the same may co'hfomito the record of the cage in the Patent Office. I I si hed and sealed this 26t day or August, A. D. 1911;.

Henry Va n Arsdale, (Seal) I Ac'ting Comnissioner of Patents. 

